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South Florida Crime

OPA LOCKA (CBSMiami) – An investigation is underway into what led to a deadly shooting Saturday evening in Opa locka which claimed two lives.

Antonio Sanchez, a deputy chief with the Opa locka Police Department, said around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday they received a call about gun shots in the area of 151st Street and NW 18th Avenue.

“When units arrived, we encountered multiple gunshot victims,” said Sanchez. “Shortly thereafter we had confirmation by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue that two of the victims had died on the scene.”

Four people were taken to the hospital with gunshots; one was airlifted.

According to those who were there, a crowd had gathered to remember a friend who had died and celebrate another’s birthday. A woman, who only wished to be identified as “Treecy”, said they were all having a good time when a car pulled up and the first shots rang out.

“The shots just broke out with the crowd of people which were out here,” said Treecy. “Everybody started running, we didn’t know who was shooting or why they were shooting. There were several shots, it was just crazy.”

“Somebody jumped out the car and was just walking up and down just shooting random,” said another person who was there but did not wish to be identified.

Treecy said she heard 30 to 40 gunshots and it lasted for somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes. She added that she hid under a car until the shooting stopped.

Sanchez said when their officers arrived the scene was chaotic; they’re grateful for the assistance provided by Hialeah, Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade police and fire rescue departments.

Police have not released the names of the dead or the wounded. They also have not said if they believe they were the targets of the shooter or shooters.

The area where the shooting took place is inside “The Triangle” where a number of shootings have occurred over the last two decades. This is the first real act of violence there since the beginning of the year.

Over the years the city has tried to clean up the area by tearing down drug houses, moving some families out and shutting down apartment buildings where gang members would hide. Numerous store front ministries and churches also moved in and began ministering to those in the neighborhood.